Shifter Challenge 2011

Join me today in the Shifter Challenge, where we celebrate those fantastically furred peeps that are quite normal except for the fact that they spend a good bit of their lives on four legs.

THE RULES:

1. Post about this challenge on your blog stating that you are participating. That post is the link that you will include in the Mr. Linky at Parajunkee's View. The link should be the post link not just your blog link.
2. Grab the button and display it in the post (use grab code underneath the button) or on your sidebar so others can join in the fun.
3. Challenge goes from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011
4. The challenge is to read 20 books that have a SHIFTER as a main character, either protag or antagonist
5. There will be a post that goes up for January 1 where you add each book as you read them and discuss books read in the comments

<center><a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/2010/12/shifter-challenge-2011-sign-up-post.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5239774327_1da209618c_o.jpg" border="0" /></a></center>

FAQs

Q:  Can I read more than 20?
A: You can read as many as you want.

Q: Do I have to have a blog?
A: No, you don't have to. If you would like to sign up using an online profile go ahead and do that, just post in the comments section the books you've read.

Q: Do I have to know what books I'm going to read ahead of time?
A: No you do not. Pick them as you go, or have them all mapped out, it is up to you.

Q: Do I have to stick to a particular genre?
A: Nope, as long as it has a SHIFTER as a main character.

Q: If the book is about vampires, but their is a werebat or werecat in it does that count?
A: The shifter needs to be a main character. If there is a slight reference to a shifter in the novel that doesn't count.

 Q: Does it matter what kind of shifter they character is, do WereSnakes count?
A: Any shifter you want, all cool. Now lets get this straight, for definitive purposes, we are defining a shifter as a human that changes into an animal, or an animal that turns into a human. Hence shifter = shifts from one form to the other. The other form being animal.

Q: Can I join up whenever I feel like it?
A: If you thought you could do it, you could join up in December 2011...no restrictions

Q: Will their be monetary compensation for those that complete the challenge.
A: Nope, just the undeniable glory of having completed a vampiric milestone.

Vampire Challenge 2011

 

THE RULES:

1. Post about this challenge on your blog stating that you are participating. That post is the link that you will include in the Mr. Linky at Parajunkee's View. The link should be the post link not just your blog link.
2. Grab the button and display it in the post (use grab code underneath the button) or on your sidebar so others can join in the fun.
3. Challenge goes from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011
4. The challenge is to read 20 books that have a vampire as a main character, either protag or antagonist
5. There will be a post that goes up for January 1 where you add each book as you read them and discuss books read in the comments

<center><a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/2010/12/vampire-challenge-2011-sign-up-post.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5248/5230934426_55cba02bc1_o.jpg" border="0" /></a></center>

FAQs

Q:  Can I read more than 20?
A: You can read as many as you want.

Q: Do I have to have a blog?
A: No, you don't have to. If you would like to sign up using an online profile go ahead and do that, just post in the comments section the books you've read.

Q: Do I have to know what books I'm going to read ahead of time?
A: No you do not. Pick them as you go, or have them all mapped out, it is up to you.

Q: Do I have to stick to a particular genre?
A: Nope, as long as it has a vampire as a main character.

Q: If the book is about werewolves, but their is a vampire in it does that count?
A: The vampire needs to be a main character. If there is a slight reference to a vampire in the novel that doesn't count.

Q: Can I join up whenever I feel like it?
A: If you thought you could do it, you could join up in December 2011...no restrictions

Q: Will their be monetary compensation for those that complete the challenge.
A: Nope, just the undeniable glory of having completed a vampiric milestone.

THE RULES:

1. Post about this challenge on your blog stating that you are participating. That post is the link that you will include in the Mr. Linky below. The link should be the post link not just your blog link.
2. Grab the button and display it in the post (use grab code underneath the button) or on your sidebar so others can join in the fun.
3. Challenge goes from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011
4. The challenge is to read 20 books that have a vampire as a main character, either protag or antagonist
5. There will be a post that goes up for January 1 where you add each book as you read them and discuss books read in the comments

I'm making the commitment to read 20 books in 2011,  will you join me?

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop Jan. 14 - 17

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop

January 14th to 17th

Hosted by Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf
& I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

What is a giveaway hop?

Simple - Each participating blog hosts a giveaway and then we link up together allowing our followers to hop easily from one giveaway to another.

For followers that means lots of chances to win free books.

For host blogs it means lots of new visitors and followers.

It's a win-win!

The Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop will run from 12:01 AM Friday, January 14th to 11:59 PM Monday, January 17th.

Each participating blog will host their own giveaway. There is no requirement on the minimum or maximum value of your giveaway. It's up to you to decide. You can give away books, swags, amazon gift cards, or anything else you can think of that has to do with books. Your giveaway can be as simple or as elaborate as you want.

All participating blogs will be linked up through a Dreaming of Books Giveaway linky. You will be given the linky code to add to your blog so that readers can jump from one giveaway to the next.

Please keep the process to enter your giveaway as simple as possible.

Please no long lists of dozens of different things followers can do to gain extra entries

Please help spread the word. The more blogs participating the better! It will mean more visitors and new followers for your blog.

Giveaways can be US, US & Canada or International.

Please create your giveaway post before the giveaway starts and then set it to be posted at 12:01 AM EST on January 14th.
More details will be available as we get closer to the giveaway.

Questions can be emailed to: toobusyreading at gmail dot com.

The last day to sign up is January 9th.
Hosted by Reviews byMartha's Bookshelf & I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

Follower Love Giveaway Hop Feb 8 - 13. Join me in the fun

The Follower Love Giveaway Hop will take place from February 8th to February 13th with winners being announced on Valentines Day.

The hop will run from 12:01 AM on February 8th to 11:59 PM on February 13th. 

Each blog will host their own giveaway. There is no requirement on the minimum or maximum value of your giveaway. It's up to you to decide. You can give away books, swags, amazon gift cards, or anything else you can think of that has to do with books. Your giveaway can be as simple or as elaborate as you want.
All participating blogs will be linked up through a Follower Love linky. You will be given the linky code to add to your blog so that readers can jump from one giveaway to the next.

Please keep the process to enter your giveaway as simple as possible.
Please no long lists of dozens of different things followers can do to gain extra entries

Please help spread the word. The more blogs participating the better! It will mean more visitors and new followers for your blog.

Giveaways can be US, US & Canada or International.

Please create your giveaway post before the giveaway starts and then set it to be posted at 12:01 AM EST on February 8th.
More details will be available as we get closer to the giveaway.

Questions can be emailed to me at toobusyreading at gmail dot com.

The last day to sign up is February 1st. Go to I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.

New Release Contest & Giveaway from Rachael Vincent

 Rachael Vincent has a new release coming Jan. 1,   My Soul To Steal in the Soul Screamers Series.  In celebration she is holding a contest and giveaway WOOT WOOT!  So stop on in to enter her CONTEST or you can purchase her book at Amazon or Borders.



Book Blurb:

YOU WANT MY SOUL AND MY BOYFRIEND?

Trying to work things out with
Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can’t just
pretend nothing happened. But “complicated” doesn’t even begin to describe their
relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to
take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn’t just an ordinary girl. She’s a mara,
the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people’s fears—and craft
them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she
survives.

And Sabine isn’t above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to
death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

I DON'T THINK SO.

Stop into her blog to enter by clicking the "Contest" up above.  Good luck (you know I'm secretly hoping I win lol)  But good luck anyways :).

Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop March 17 - 20

Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop

March 17th to 20th

Hosted by Books Complete Me 

& I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

What is a giveaway hop?
Simple - Each participating blog hosts a giveaway and then we link up together allowing our followers to hop easily from one giveaway to another.
For followers this means lots of chances to win free books.
For blogs hosting a giveaway it means lots of new visitors and followers.
It's a win-win!

The Lucky Leprechaun Hop is scheduled from 12:01 AM March 17th until 11:59 PM March 20th.

Each participating blog will host their own giveaway. There is no requirement on the minimum or maximum value of your giveaway. It's up to you to decide. You can give away books, swags, amazon gift cards, or anything else you can think of that has to do with books. Your giveaway can be as simple or as elaborate as you want.

All participating blogs will be linked up through a Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway linky. You will be given the linky code to add to your blog so that readers can jump from one giveaway to the next.

Please keep the process to enter your giveaway as simple as possible.
Please no long lists of dozens of different things followers can do to gain extra entries.

Please help spread the word. The more blogs participating the better! It will mean more visitors and new followers for your blog.

Giveaways can be US, US & Canada or International.

Please create your giveaway post before the giveaway starts and then set it to be posted at 12:01 AM EST on March 17th.

More details will be emailed to participants as we get closer to the giveaway.

Questions can be emailed to: toobusyreading at gmail dot com.

The last day to sign up is March 13th.


To sign up please visit      I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

WOOHOO!  Another giveaway hop!  I can't wait!

Immortyl Kisses Has Gone To Print!

Immortyl Kisses has gone to print and the first review copy is on it's way!  WOOHOO!  I can't wait to see it I'm sooooo excited! 

Facebook party is still going on and if you stop in today and comment/like my post you will be entered into a drawing to win the first full edition of Immortyl Kisses with all 3 books between the pages in PDF.

Party ends December 31 so stop in daily for your chance to win! 

**** Tandem by Tracey Bateman

Tandem by Tracey Bateman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Tandem by Tracey Bateman was definitely not what I expected. This is my first experience with Tracey and I must say I'm very curious to read her book Thirsty now too.

When I first picked up this book, I thought it was going to just be a murder/mystery novel. To my surprise, it was a paranormal suspense. A nice surprise it was too.

Lauryn McBride is a daddy's girl. She's lived her entire life around her father, even getting into the auction business to be close to him.

Now that he's developed Alzheimer's, she continues on with the business, but also moves into the caregiver role as well. Having good days and bad days, Lauryn revolves her entire existence to being there for her dad.

As she gets the Chasom house ready for auction, cataloging and pricing all the belongings inside, an old flame returns to town. Billy left without word to follow his heart as a missionary. Now he returns with a daughter, and Lauryn just isn't sure how to deal with it all. She's never allowed herself time to date, and now she feels all these emotions returning from when Billy first left.

Her good friend and sheriff, Charley tries to forewarn her that Billy's returned, but not before she runs into him. Charley also runs the only Inn in town, and this is where we meet Amede Dastillion, the sister of the woman who died along with the owner of the Chasom House in a fire. It's this house that becomes key into plot of this title.

With the return of Billy, and the new mysterious Amede, a series of murders are taking place along with several dead animals being drained of blood. The town becomes fearful as they investigate to solve these horrible crimes.

There is one local, Miranda, that believes that the crimes are caused by vampires. As the investigation goes on, Amede starts acting peculiar, as she senses her sisters presence. What they all are surprised by though is who is actually committing the crimes. Someone they all thought they could trust.

Bateman did a great job with the element of surprise. The suspense was fantastic as you continually find yourself guessing as to who the perp is. Then you find yourself feeling for Lauryn as she deals with her father, and also her life.

Bateman gives you the thoughts of several characters throughout the book, allowing you a glimpse into what is actually going on in this town. I was definitely surprised at the end of this book, and I'm sure you will be too.

I give Tandem **** (4) Stars, BK Walker.
BK Walker Books - All Rights Reserved



View all my reviews

 www.bloggingforbooks.org

Meet Jacquitta McManus - Labyrinth's Door:Anyia "Dream of a Warrior"

“All my life, I’ve gravitated to fantasy stories. Stories that I felt I could be a part of and completely immerse myself in … in my imagination.”

-Jacquitta A McManus

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

As a little girl from KY I didn’t have a lot of outlets that allowed me to explore what drew me to those stories. All I knew was that they were exciting adventures and I loved the experience of the imagination. As I got older and it was time to make a decision about what to do as a career I realized that the only thing that interested me was animation. So I headed off to college for a digital animation degree. I loved computers so it seemed like the obvious choice.

So, I was in college taking my courses… taking art classes, taking animation classes and of course the basics. P.S. I was one of the students who hated taking the basic courses. I was there for animation and that was all I wanted to do. Math… uhhh could have left it.  Spanish… uhhh could have left it. English… well… was never a strong subject for me. Grammatics, (I know, it’s not a real word… but it sounds good.), just didn’t sink into my brain. I didn’t get it. Therefore I didn’t even consider being a writer of stories. My focus was getting into my animation classes. I constantly went to the professor over the department to get in early. Thank you Professor for allowing me to start animation before I really got into my art classes.  (But of course after I started taking my animation classes I could see why having an art foundation was so important. LOL.)

Ok… I’m rambling… back to my background. During the end of my college experience …  and my last couple of semesters … I had my son. Although my grandmother thought I wouldn’t finish, I did. I got my degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Digital Animation with minors in Art and African American studies. Oh yeah, I did a study abroad in Africa. That was a great experience. I also started to get into directing films in my last year … which is still a passion for me and will one day be a reality.

I got married, and we moved to Atlanta and we had another baby, a girl.

It wasn’t until my daughter was growing out of watching Sesame Street and Blues Clues that I realize that there was not a lot of things out there for her. And when I say that I mean … fantasy/adventure stories with characters that looked like her. It bothered me. It bothered me a lot.

But even then I didn’t start down the storytelling path. I remembered writing down a story concept, very very vague with little details about what I visioned on a piece of paper and that was it. At the time I was working on my first short film. I was producing and directing and it consumed me. I had a strong desire for it to be right and I had to prove to myself that I could do what I thought I could do. And I can.  Even then I wanted to direct a fantasy story, I knew that financially it was easier to go the drama route, so I did. I wrote, produced and directed a short film and was pleased. It wasn’t all I thought I could make it but it was good for the resources I had. Everyone who was involved in the project loved it and wanted me to submit it to a film festival, so I did, but only one. It was picked as one of the top five finalists, but we didn’t win. But I was happy with it all the same.

One thing that caught my attention after the film was made and screened was my direction in writing the script. When it was all done I saw places I wish I would have handled differently and some places I wish I would have given more room. And although I wanted to keep it under 15 minutes I wish I wouldn’t have let the story dictate its own length. I think it would have given the story more room to connect with people and would have allowed for more moments that would have rounded out the characters.

Okay… again, enough of my rambling. After the short film I got a lot of questions about the 2nd part and what I was planning to do with the rest of the story. My hope at that time was to turn the storyline into a series. So with the help of two other people I began the process of writing the series. Our goal was to write the first twelve episodes. It was around episode three that I realized that I didn’t like the drama genre as much as I liked the fantasy/adventure genre. So, I picked up a pencil and pad and for two weeks I wrote out an outline for a fantasy/adventure trilogy. It took about six legal pads. I mapped it out by chapters.  I was hooked in the fantasy/adventure genre.

Now the easiest thing for me to do is probably write it in script form. I see things visually and scripts seem to allow me to get what I see out the quickest.  But I didn’t want to do that.  Something inside said write it as a book.

So I brought a writing program to help me organize everything and I got started writing. I got to chapter six and I was pretty happy with what I had. I mean, It was the biggest thing I ever wrote … 30,000 plus words and I wasn’t even halfway through the first book.  It was when I got to chapter seven that I realized that the story wasn’t going the way I wanted it to. And although I had taken the time to write a full outline of the story it was feeling more and more like just a big brainstorm. My character arc for my characters was there but the world was not developed enough. I got stuck on a scene that needed background development and when I looked back at the previous chapters I knew I was going to have to start over … page one word one.

Foundation … foundation … I had to stop and focus on the foundation. I started first by sketching out a map of the world … thank you art classes … and started working on the characters of the story. I hired an illustrator to do some character concepts … yes I have an art minor, but I’m not that good … that’s why it’s just a minor … LOL. I began to read … anything and everything that I could. That journey began at least two years ago. Now I have a complete world with more than a half dozen races, with background histories, locations and all. And I’m loving every minute of its development. I still go back and tweak parts of it … I might even completely rearrange a section of it and although I feel like I’m 90% there with it, I still have to complete the other 10% of it before I really get back into writing the book again. Although last week I wrote 2 chapters in my head, I’ll let it sit there for a while to make sure I really like it.

During the development of the background for my first novel, I’ve started developing other stories as well. All of which are fantasy/adventures; although some YA stories are peeking through. And now I’m proud to announce that my first finished story, and my first MagBook is now published and available for purchase. It has been a journey getting it here but it’s here now.

And one of the rewards of all of this is the feeling of being on the path that I was meant to be on. That can’t be brought or given. It has to be earned.

P.S.S. Oh … I guess I should mention … in between the time after I produced my first short film and when I really got into storytelling I worked as a graphic designer. Learned a lot that will benefit me greatly as I continue to create stories. And it was during that time that the concept for Labyrinth’s Door was born. It was a way to bring all of my experience to something I love.

To great adventures!

What Do You Know Wednesday - Christmas Themed Movies

This week's What Do You Know Wednesday is Christmas Themed.  In the spirit :) lol.  So it's simple.  Name that movie and you are entered to win Immortyl Kisses Interactive CD,  with bonus Dares And Dreams.  Rules below.

So....Tell Me What Do You Know!

RULES:

Leave a comment with your email address.  This week we're doing things a bit different though,  please email me your answers to bkwalkerbooks@comcast.net with Christmas What Do You Know Wednesday in the subject line.  You must make sure that you leave a comment with your email address though to be entered.  Contest ends December 21.  Good Luck!

Winner for What Do You Know Wednesday! WOOHOO!

The Winner for this weeks What Do You Know Wednesday is Cynthia Hatfield-Garcia!  Congratulations Cynthia!  You can have your choice of either the first two books of Immortyl Kisses on Interactive CD or you can choose to receive your own book created into an interactive CD.  Please send me your choice of prize to bkwalkerbooks@comcast.net


      

***** NIghtShade by Andrea Cremer

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

www.andreacremer.com

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


All I can say is I want more. NightShade by Andrea Cremer was astounding! I can't wait for Wolfsbane.

Calla is a wolf that is about to marry the Alpha that was chosen for her. Ren, the Alpha of the Bane Wolf Pack has always had a wild streak. He does what he wants, when he wants, but as the Union closes in, he must tone it down and commit to Calla.

Calla is the Alpha wolf to the NightShade pack. Both packs must merge after the Union and learn to get along as they form a new pack together. As Ren and Calla get to know each other, they push their packs to do the same. What they never expected was the relationships that would form among them.

In the meantime, a new kid is on the block, and just happens to be related to an important Keeper. Shay is a mere mortal boy who the Keepers have entrusted the wolves to keep safe from harm. As Calla obides by her orders, she comes face to face with the very boy she rescued in the mountains not very long ago.

As she gets to know Shay, not only does she unlock immortal secrets, but is now caught between two hearts.

On the night of the Union, Calla is faced with many decisions, including learning the truth about her very existence. Will Calla be able to choose her hearts desire or will she have to conform to the way things have always been?

I loved NightShade. It was a great read, fast paced and one that will definitely leave you wanting more.



View all my reviews

What Do You Know Wednesday - Contest and Giveaway

What Do You Know Wednesday is back!  This week,  we are incorporating a fun quiz from Quizopolis.com.  Fun Vampire Trivia.  Up for grabs - one lucky winner will win the first two books of Immortyl Kisses on Interactive Ebook CD,  signed with jewel case,  and one lucky winner will get their own book on Interactive Ebook CD with your cover and a jewel case included.  Winner can choose their prize,  simply leave your answers in a comment with your email.  So TWO lucky winners this week with your choice of prizes.

So....Tell me what you know!


What historical figure is the vampire legend based on?

A.  Attila the Hun
B.  Ghengis Khan
C.  Vlad the Impaler

Who wrote the definitive Dracula book?

A.  Bram Stoker
B.  Nathaniel Hawthorne
C.  Daniel Defoe

Who starred as Dracula in the Coppola remake?

A.  Robert DeNiro
B.  Gary Oldman
C.  Kevin Spacey

What is the popular vampire book series among teenagers that has been made into a movie?

A.  Blood Brothers
B.  Fangs
C.  Twilight

What author created the vampire character named Lestat?
A.  Anne Rice
B.  Stephen King
C.  Denise Verrico

In what movie did Tom Cruise play a vampire?
A.  Dracula
B.  Interview With The Vampire
C.  Twilight

What religious object will repel a vampire?

A.  StatueB.  Cross and Holy Water
C.  Bible


What does a vampire see in a mirror?

A.  His Reflection
B.  Nothing
C.  A Ghost


Who plays the vampire lead character in Twilight?

A.  David Fingerman
B.  Robert Pattinson
C.  Robert DuVall


Which of these actors never played a vampire in a film, Jim Carrey, George Hamilton or Dustin Hoffman?

A.  Jim Carrey
B.  Dustin Hoffman
C.  George Hamilton

+100 Please leave the letters of your answers ONLY in your comment and don't forget your email so I have a way of contacting you. 

Extra Entries:

Share this post and gain +5 extra points

Like our Facebook page in the sidebar +10

Attend Immortyl Kisses Facebook Party and friend me +25

Tally your total and include in comment +25

Thanks for stopping in and GOOD LUCK!